The exhibit “Special Art From Special Folks: Art of Autism 3” is open at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture’s (GMA) art gallery. There are multiple works on display, including paintings, dioramas, sensory pieces, crochet pieces, and more. Everything on display was created by community members of all ages who are neurodiversely challenged, with some work being available for purchase.
There were over 60 entries for the first edition of “The Art of Autism” exhibit back in Dec. 2021, and over 90 entries for last year’s exhibit. The record was broken for this year’s exhibit, coming in at 104 entries. According to a press release from ABAC’s Office of Marketing and Communications, “The project won the Georgia Association of Museums’ Best Exhibit Award in February 2025.”
The project started when Donna Johnston wanted her autistic son, Tru, to feel noticed.
Johnston said, “My son decompresses and relaxes through painting and drawing. One day, I was watching him, and I was talking about how his work was so good, and he just got so excited. I thought, what a shame he would never know what it’s like for his pieces to get in a gallery, and I thought, why can’t he?”
After searching through the community and asking where she could do a special needs and neurodiverse art show, she got in touch with her friend of many years, Polly Huff, who is the curator of the GMA. “Polly jumped on board and has just run with the idea and has been such a blessing,” Johnston said.
Johnston described the way she wants to see neurodiverse individuals treated. “Autism is just like any other clinical disorder. My son Tru may be able to speak and do more than another individual with autism, but he’s had a lot of therapy. It’s all about working with those individuals and seeing what their best is.”
She continued, “Some may take 15 years for them to say, ‘Momma.’ I want to work on getting away from titles. Of course, you need the titles for diagnoses, but I want it to be less arguable and more focused on how we can help these individuals.”
Lauren Swindell is the mother of tornado enthusiast Arver, who has level one autism and is one of the exhibit piece submitters. Swindell said, “I’m happy to see him learn new things and be able to express himself. When we first started this journey, he wasn’t able to draw well and not even hold a pencil, which would make him angry. The progress he has made has been amazing to see.”
“Every kid with autism isn’t the same and different in their own ways,” she continued. “Even though my son is diagnosed with autism, he is just a perfectly regular little boy to us. His creativity is just like any other kid’s, and he loves more than anyone I know.”
ABAC alumni Nicolas Johnson has submitted work for each edition of “Art of Autism” and was a senior intern for the first edition. His specialty work is animal paintings, and he nearly sold out of his pieces on the exhibit’s opening day. Johnson said, “Art is a great stress reliever and fun activity for me.”
The reason that Johnson did not sell out was because of one piece alone that he intended not to sell but to give away, titled “Jordan’s Bestie.”
“My friend Jordan Gorman asked me for a painting of her pit-bull, Zena, back in January,” Johnson said. “I specifically asked for this one not to be for sale so Jordan can add it to her personal collection.”
Tru, Arver, Nicolas, and all the other people who submitted to the exhibit highlight that a diagnosis is not a limitation. The “Art of Autism” exhibit shows that support for these individuals is at an all-time high in our community.
Anyone who is neurodivergent and wants to showcase their artistic talent can visit Tru Colors Artistic Organization on Facebook. For resources on people with disabilities and opportunities for such people, visit The Arc Southwest Georgia at their website, thearcswga.org.
